Important Notice: National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened online applications for UGC NET June 2026 — the eligibility test for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor positions across 86 subjects. Apply online from 29 April to 20 May 2026. Exam scheduled: 22–30 June 2026.
Overview
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) June 2026 |
| Purpose | Eligibility for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) & Assistant Professor in Indian Universities/Colleges |
| Number of Subjects | 86 Subjects |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start Date | 29 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 May 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 20 May 2026 |
| Form Correction Window | 22 – 24 May 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 22 – 30 June 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | After Exam (as per NTA schedule) |
| Result Declaration | As per official schedule |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | For JRF | For Assistant Professor Only |
|---|
| Qualification | Master's Degree (or 4-year Bachelor's Degree) in concerned subject with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PH/OBC-NCL) |
| Age Limit | Max 31 Years (relaxation available) | No upper age limit |
| Relaxation (Age) | SC/ST/PH: 5 yrs; OBC: 3 yrs; Female: 5 yrs; Ex-SM: 3 yrs | — |
| Appearing candidates | Final year Master's students also eligible (conditional) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| EWS / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PH / Transgender | ₹325 |
| Payment Mode | Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / E-Challan / UPI |
Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Paper I | Teaching & Research Aptitude (Common for all) | 50 | 100 | 3 Hours (Combined) |
| Paper II | Concerned Subject (from 86 subjects) | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 | |
- All questions are compulsory. No negative marking.
- Both papers are held on the same day — Paper I first, then Paper II.
- CBT (Computer Based Test) mode only.
JRF vs Assistant Professor – Key Difference
| Feature | JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | Assistant Professor |
|---|
| Purpose | Research funding + Teaching eligibility | Teaching in colleges/universities only |
| Fellowship | ₹37,000/month (1st 2 yrs) → ₹42,000/month | Not applicable |
| Age Limit | Max 31 years (relaxable) | No age bar |
| Cutoff | Higher percentile required | Lower cutoff |
| Validity | 3 Years to join a PhD programme | Lifetime validity |
Popular Subjects for UGC NET 2026
- English Literature
- Hindi Literature
- History
- Geography
- Political Science
- Economics
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Computer Science & Applications
- Commerce
- Management
- Law
- Education
- Environmental Sciences
- Mass Communication
- Library & Information Science
How to Apply
- Visit: NTA UGC NET 2026 Application Portal
- Register with Aadhar-linked mobile or email. Generate Application Number.
- Fill the application form — personal details, exam subject, exam city preferences.
- Upload scanned photo (10–200 KB) and signature (4–30 KB).
- Pay fee online and confirm payment.
- Download and print the confirmation page.
- Last date: 20 May 2026.
Preparation Strategy
- Paper I: Focus on Teaching Aptitude, Research Methodology, Communication, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and ICT. Previous year papers are the best resource.
- Paper II: Deep dive into your subject syllabus. NTA releases the official syllabus — follow it strictly.
- Target minimum 55+ marks in Paper I to stay safe.
- Solve previous 5 years' UGC NET papers for each subject.
- Time management: 50 questions in 60 min (Paper I) = 72 sec per question.
Pro Tip: UGC NET qualification opens doors to lectureship in any government/private college across India, and JRF gives you a fully-funded research career. Apply in subjects where you scored highest in your Master's. Correction window (22–24 May) lets you fix errors — but fees for correction are non-refundable. Don't delay — apply before 20 May 2026.
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